Craig Kimbrel (RP)

Craig Kimbrel allowed one run on a walk, a wild pitch and two sacrifices in one inning in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Toronto. Boston's closer has walked six of the last 13 batters faced and has been tagged with losses in two of the last three games. When asked if he would consider moving Craig Kimbrel out of the closer role, Red Sox manager John Farrell said, "At this moment, no."

Fantasy Impact: With the playoffs days away this is the worst time for Kimbrel to lose his control on the mound. This will be an interesting decision for the Red Sox. But Kimbrel has been a dominant closer for years and should be able to right himself if not for the playoffs than for next season.

Craig Kimbrel picked up his 26th save Friday against the Yankees, striking out the only two batters he faced.
Kimbrel was called upon to salvage the ninth inning after Fernando Abad ran into trouble, and he quickly dispatched Jacoby Ellsbury and Gary Sanchez on strikes to quash the rally.

Fantasy Impact: Over his last ten games pitched, Kimbrel has not given up a run. Over that span, he has six saves and 13 strikeouts over eight innings pitched. After a rough patch earlier in the season and dealing with a knee injury the veteran righty has been one of the top closers in fantasy.

Craig Kimbrel picked up his 25th save of the season Sunday, striking out two and walking one in the ninth inning of Boston's 11-8 win over Toronto.

Fantasy Impact: The Red Sox pitchers struggled with the Blue Jay bats all day on Sunday but Kimbrel was able to come on in the ninth and save the game. He is now 25 for 27 in save opportunities this season and is a top five closer in fantasy.

Craig Kimbrel entered Sunday's game to start the ninth inning in a non-save situation, then allowed a walk and a double to take the loss in Sunday's 1-0 loss to the Athletics.

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel did not help himself on Sunday but didn't get any help from his teammates as Brock Holt missed played a ball that led to the walk-off win. The closer is still one of the top five in the game and has 24 saves, 2.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP on the season.

Craig Kimbrel nailed down the Rays in order to record his 24th save of the season in an 8-6 victory.

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel has struggled with injuries in his first season with Boston. But when he has been on the mound he has been a top-notch closer. He has 24 saves and a 2.86 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 69 strikeouts over 44 innings this year.

Craig Kimbrel has not blown a save since May 28 and has only allowed one run in the second half, but he has not pitched since August 24. He has 17 strikeouts in nine innings this month, converting six saves and registering a hold. Kimbrel is 23-for-25 in save attempts this season and has a 3.00 ERA.

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel has been far from the top ranked RP this season, but seven strikeouts and no walks over his last four outings shows that he is on the way back. He missed most of the month of July and has allowed one earned run and two hits in August.

Craig Kimbrel retired the Diamondbacks in order to earn his 19th save of the season. He also had a strikeout.

Fantasy Impact: Fantasy owners are glad to see Kimbrel nail down his first save since August 1. He has been struggling with a knee issue but fortunately, it was nothing serious and he did not need a stint on the disabled list. Look for Kimbrel to get back to being one of the top closers in the game.

Craig Kimbrel experienced knee soreness during his attempted save Tuesday and is unsure if he will be available over the next couple days, the Providence Journal's Evan Drellich Reports. He missed almost a month with a knee injury and after three appearances since being activated off the DL, he is now being bothered by his knee again, which is clearly not good.

Fantasy Impact: Keep an eye on updates on Kimbrel as this could end up being another DL stint for the closer. It may be wise and be proactive and pick up Brad Ziegler if he is available in fantasy leagues in case Kimbrel does miss some time.

Craig Kimbrel (knee) has been activated from the 15-day DL, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports. (Source: Jason Mastrodonato on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel will immediately move back into the closer's role for the Red Sox as Brad Ziegler who was covering will move back into a setup role. Kimbrel should be a top ten option for saves for the rest of the season.

Craig Kimbrel (knee) is expected to join the Red Sox in Seattle and be activated from the disabled list on Monday, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.
Kimbrel recorded just one out while facing three batters in a rehab outing with Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday, but the Red Sox simply needed to see him make it through the game without a setback before deciding to add him back to the major league roster.

Fantasy Impact: It is almost a certainty that Kimbrel will be activated on Monday. And he will slide right back into the closer's role for Boston. For those fantasy owners in weekly leagues, it should be safe to get Kimbrel in your lineup for the week.

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel looks to be on schedule to return to the Red Sox next week. The closer has been out since July 9 with a knee injury. Look for him to step right back into his role closing out games when he gets back.

Craig Kimbrel (knee) played catch Sunday and will now throw a bullpen session Monday, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.
Kimbrel was tentatively scheduled to throw a bullpen Sunday, but it's getting pushed out one day. If all goes well Monday, he will throw another bullpen Wednesday then face hitters in a minor league game or simulated game after that, which could come as soon as Friday. (Source: Boston Globe)

Fantasy Impact: If Kimbrel follows the timetable set, he could be back sometime next week while the Red Sox are on an 11-game, West Coast road trip. This is good news for Kimbrel owners as it looked like the knee injury could knock out the closer for a longer period of time.

Craig Kimbrel (knee) could begin a minor league rehab assignment late next week.
Kimbrel is set to throw a bullpen session Sunday or Monday and he'll do the same on Wednesday. If that all goes well, the next step may be a minor league game. (Source: Boston Herald)

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel is progressing well from his knee surgery. He was projected to miss three to six weeks but it looks like it will be closer to three than six. He will go right back into his closer's role while Brad Ziegler who is currently holding down the job would move into the eight inning role.

Craig Kimbrel (knee) threw from flat ground Wednesday and is on schedule to return from surgery within the initial three-to-six week timetable, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports. (Source: Jason Mastrodonato on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel had surgery on his knee on July 12th so to be throwing this soon is a good sign. Kimbrel should be back in mid-August and should be in top form for fantasy playoffs.

Craig Kimbrel (knee) underwent successful left knee arthroscopy and partial medial meniscectomy Monday and will be out 3-6 weeks, Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald reports.
Kimbrel's surgery went according to plan. He will now begin the rehab and recovery phase in an attempt to get back to full strength. (Source: Evan Drellich on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: While Kimbrel has struggled at times this season in his first year with the Red Sox he still has been a top ten closer. He has a career-high 3.55 ERA through 34 games for the Red Sox, but has still converted on 17 of his 19 save opportunities. Expect him to go right back into the closer role when he comes off the disabled list.

Craig Kimbrel is to have surgery on his left knee and should miss three to six weeks. Kimbrel is 1-3 with a 3.55 ERA and 17 saves this season. Newly acquired Brad Ziegler should get the closer's job. (Source: Tim Britton on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: The acquisition of Ziegler should have scared Kimbrel owners and the cartilage surgery confirms their fears. Kimbrel has not been the top closer in baseball, as he was drafted as, and this only further depletes his value. Look at him as only a top-10 RP for the rest of the season.

Craig Kimbrel injured his knee running before Friday's game and is awaiting the results of an MRI, the Boston Globe's Pete Abraham reports. (Source: Pete Abraham on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The issue cropped up on Kimbrel pregame. He underwent an MRI on Friday, the results of which the Red Sox will get on Saturday. Do not be surprised if Kimbrel misses the All-Star game as the team will be cautious with his injury. If Kimbrel does go on the DL, expect newly acquired Brad Ziegler to get the save chances.

Craig Kimbrel secured his 17th save in Friday's 5-4 victory by working around a hit and a walk in the ninth inning.
Despite allowing two baserunners, Kimbrel needed only 15 pitches overall to get out of the ninth.

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel struggled to protect the one-run lead on Friday night but was able to get out of trouble and nailed down his fifth consecutive successfully converted save opportunity. For the season, Kimbrel is 17-for-19 in save chances this season to go along with a 2.53 ERA and 48/12 K/BB ratio in 32 innings.

Craig Kimbrel (0-3) took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits and a walk with one strikeout while lasting just 0.2 innings in the top of the tenth against the White Sox.

Fantasy Impact: There is no reason for Kimbrel fantasy owners to panic. Kimbrel is having a great season despite his 0-3 record. His ERA is 2.59 and has an outstanding 0.79 WHIP with 16 saves and a 13.50 K/9.

Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in a perfect inning Sunday against the Mariners to capture his 16th save of the season.

Fantasy Impact: After blowing a save on May 28, Kimbrel has had seven straight scoreless outings and only allowed two baserunners over that stretch. Kimbrel is showing that he is one of the top closers in fantasy once again this season.

Craig Kimbrel (0-2) blew his second save of the season in Saturday's 10-9 loss to the Blue Jays, surrendering four hits and two earned runs over 1.1 innings. He struck out two.

Fantasy Impact: Ater a rough start to the season, Kimbrel has been lights out as a closer with the Red Sox with 12 saves. The Red Sox bullpen as a whole did not do their job on Saturday including Kimbrel. There is no reason to panic. Kimbrel is a stud and one of the top closers in the game.

Kimbrel earned his 12th save with a perfect ninth inning while striking out two Sunday against the Indians.
Kimbrel was protecting a three-run lead, and he needed only nine pitches to close out the victory.

Fantasy Impact: After a rocky start to the beginning of the season, Kimbrel has settled in as Boston's closer. He’s now held opponents scoreless over his last 10 outings, and he boasts a 2.37 ERA to go along with a 0.74 WHIP.

Craig Kimbrel nailed down his 10th save of the season on Sunday, as the Red Sox topped the Astros.Kimbrel retired all three batters he faced in the top of the ninth inning, striking out Tyler White and Carlos Gomez and inducing a lineout from Luis Valbuena

Fantasy Impact: After a rough start to the season, Craig Kimbrel has settled in as Boston's closer. He has been dominant in May, as he has not given up an earned run for the month and has three saves. Expect vintage Kimbrel for the rest of the season and for him to finish as a top closer.

Craig Kimbrel blew his first save of the season Sunday versus the Astros, allowing two runs on two hits with a pair of strikeouts.

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel struggled on Sunday against the Astros and the outing brought his ERA over five for the season. Kimbrel is still a top closer in fantasy despite the slow start and should have plenty of save opportunities this season.

Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in order on Wednesday against the Orioles for his second save of the year.

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel showed there was no need to panic after giving up a three-run homer to Chris Davis of the Orioles on Monday to blow a save. He came right back on Wednesday to strike out the side against Baltimore. Kimbrel will be one of the top closers in baseball and in fantasy this season.

Craig Kimbrel took his first loss of the year Monday, allowing three runs on a three-run Chris Davis home run. Kimbrel had walked Caleb Joseph and Manny Machado to put the baserunners aboard for Davis' blast.

Fantasy Impact: This was certainly an outing to forget for Kimbrel. To blow the save in his first home opener in a Red Sox uniform is disappointing, but this has happened before and he has always recovered in fine fashion. Expect him to nail down a save in his next opportunity.

Craig Kimbrel has missed the last two days of camp with the Red Sox due to a private family matter. (Source: Pete Abraham on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This should not effect Kimbrel's readiness for opening day. He is a veteran and does not need to take long to get ready. He should be one of the top relievers off the board in fantasy drafts this season.

The Red Sox have acquired closer Craig Kimbrel from the Padres in exchange for four prospects. (Source: Red Sox on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel joins stud late-inning arm Koji Uehara at the back of Boston's bullpen. The Red Sox surrendered four top-30 prospects for Kimbrel, including two that were considered by many to be among the top 100 prospects league-wide.

Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth inning of a tie ballgame Thursday. The Padres scored in the bottom of the inning, bringing Kimbrel a win for the second straight day. The win was his fourth of the season.

Fantasy Impact: He is an elite closer and this time he got you the win without the pesky blown save.

Craig Kimbrel allowed a solo HR to Nolan Arenado for his third blown save of the season but the Padres answered back in the bottom of the ninth to give Kimbrel his second win of the season. He struck out two batters and only allowed the one hit.

Astros and Padres are working on a deal to acquire Tyson Ross and Craig Kimbrel. The players being sent back to San Diego are still unknown but Houston has plenty of prospects to offer. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: If Ross and Kimbrel head to Houston they become huge targets in AL-only leagues. You better hope you have plenty of FAAB budget left if that's your league format.

Craig Kimbrel went a perfect inning with one strikeout to get his 30th save of the season.

Fantasy Impact: He is an elite closer. In fact, ever since his name showed up in a trade rumor to my favorite team, I have checked the news several times a day with the intense desire to see that he was traded to them.

Craig Kimbrel came in to the 11th inning and got three outs to gain his twentieth save of the season.

Fantasy Impact: Another game, another save. This time I will repeat the "Kimbrel is an elite closer" in Greek. Craig Kimbrel eínai mia elít pio kontá. The translation is brought to you from Google's translation service.

Craig Kimbrel came in with a two run lead and other than a walk with two outs, he kept Arizona down to earn his 19th save.

Fantasy Impact: Another game, another save. This time I will repeat the "Kimbrel is an elite closer" in French. Kimbrel est plus proche d'une élite. The translation is brought to you from Google's translation service.

Kimbrel finished the game out Tuesday with three strikeouts with only one walk allowed. He notched his 18th save of the year.

Fantasy Impact: I am struggling to find fresh new ways to say that he is an elite closer, so I will try Spanish. Kimbrel es una élite más cerca. This translation is brought to you by Google's translation service.

Craig Kimbrel came into a tie game in the ninth. He gave up the game winning run before getting out of the inning. In his inning of work, he allowed a hit and walked two batter with one strikeout.

Fantasy Impact: Ok, this one stings a little as it was not some blowout where he came too loose but rather the game was on the line and he faltered. However, do not let the disappointment cloud the fact that he still is an elite closer.

After a rough outing in a non-save situation earlier this week, Craig Kimbrel got a chance for redemption on Saturday. He came in with a two run lead and shut the Reds down to preserve the 9-7 victory.

Fantasy Impact: It was not a flawless performance as he gave up a hit and a walk, but he got the job done for his 13th save in 14 attempts. He even threw in two strike outs for his owners. He is still an elite closer on a team that looks like it could be a contender for the playoffs.

Kimbrel went an inning giving up a run on two hits and allowing a walk.

Fantasy Impact: It is not uncommon for closers to come in for non-save situations and struggle. He is still 12-for13 in save opportunities and a top RP. As long as he is converting his save opportunities and striking out more than a batter an inning, have patience with the ratios, which are likely to come down.

Craig Kimbrel allowed no runs and no hits in an inning of work against the Pirates on Friday. He also struckout two in the appearance.

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel came in with a 2-2 tie in the ninth and pitched wonderfully, striking out two of the three batters he faced. Then he got to sit back and enjoy watching the Padres bats load the bases before a Derek Norris walkoff Grand Slam HR to get the W. Keep Kimbrel active in all but the most shallow of fantasy formats.

Craig Kimbrel allowed no runs and no hits in one inning of relief against the Angels on Tuesday. He also walked and struckout a batter in the appearance.

Fantasy Impact: This was not the season fantasy owners, the Padres, or certainly Kimbrel was looking for. His ERA is an abysmal 5.29, and while he's doing decently in saves (11), there hasn't been a clean one since May 8th. The positive for owners, Kimbrel has had at least one strikeout in every outing in May, totaling 15 in 8 1/3 innings.

Bud Black has been using Kimbrel at will early in the season. He has logged 4 IP with a K/IP and a spotless ERA at 0.00.

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel has 2 saves on the season and is in a much better situation in San Diego. The Padres pitching staff will keep them in a lot of close games and the park is also a benefit to the hard throwing closer.

This is a major move on the part of new Braves GM John Hart. It addresses big needs in the OF for the Braves, primarily CF and LF, with the acquisition of CF Cameron Maybin, LF Carlos Quentin, RHP Matt Wisler, and OF Jordan Paroubeck. Wisler was the Padres top pitching prospect. No money was exchanged in the deal. (Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This move may help defensively but Maybin is not an offensive producer while Quentin has had some offensive success. He will likely share time in LF with Jonny Gomes.

Fantasy Impact: This is huge news for Kimbrel owners as he now moves to the Padres who should offer additional save opportunities for the stud closer. Joaquin Benoit will now longer be the closer in San Diego and Jason Grilli likely gets a promotion in Atlanta.

Kimbrel has had a good spring, with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 0.83. In the six innings he pitched this spring he recorded eight strikeouts while walking three.

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel is ready to light it up again this year. Still elite, his only limitation is pitching for a sub-par team. This won't much affect the results he will give fantasy owners, as he is still good for 35 saves in '15.

Kimbrel has made five appearances this spring and his stats are vintage Kimbrel. Five innings pitched with one hit, three walks, and six strikeouts. His fastball is hitting 97 with regularity, proving he is ready for another great season.

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel will get his saves this year despite the less than adequate offense. With Jason Grilli and Jim Johnson in setup roles, the route to saves has been paved. Draft him in all formats with confidence.